The USS Cadecus is a hospital cruiser or floating MASH unit capable of deploying to whatever area needs her services. We would be capable of carrying medical supplies to distant colonies, run a combat support hospital under fire, while at the same time running field triage units on the ground. Disaster relief would also be under our purview. Formerly operated as a Guild in coordination with the Medical & Science Guild.

The Cadecus is called off to the battle front once again. The Federation is in the midst of battle against the Dominion and there have been many casulaties.

Starfleet has just retaken the planet Betazed and is in desperate need for medical facilities to be established on the planet to cure all injured and to increase morale in the sector both for the planets inhabitants and for the remaining taskforces that need to regroup.

Starfleet will be sending an armed escort comprising of three akira class starships and one defiant class. ***

Captain Dreia Gonzalez sat at the desk in the ready room. It had been three days since they had left the Erit system. Three days to catch her breath and send Sorveck a message that all had turned out well.

Dreia hadn't realized how much she would miss him, and with the task of runnning a vessel of this size she had barely had time to think of it till now. She still had that funny feeling in her stomach, and she was certain it had a good meaning. She just hadn't had time to verify her susiscions with the doctors yet.

As she mused about the possibilitys and probabilities she received a com from ops. "Captain Gonzalez, Incoming encoded communique from Starfleet."

She sighed and answered the Com, "Decrypt encoding and forward to the ready room."

It took only a second or two beofre the message appear on her screen. Her pleasant feeling dissolved as she read the message.

ORDERS: USS CADECUSFROM: SFHQ ADM WITTENHOUSE, SF MEDICAL CORPS

PROCEED WITH ALL DUE HASTE TO BETAZED. MISSION OBJECTIVES TO FOLLOW:

Establish a medical presence on the planet and help the task force regroup, chances are they will have to be called off to war front.

There may be a small possibility of a few people that are or will be suffering from mental instability. Its up to the Cadecus crew to quarantine these people before they become a danger to not only themselves but to the sector.

As with all such missions there is the risk of attack from the Dominion forces still in the area and on the planet surface. All Crew are to arm themselves at all times and be prepared to fight.

=END MESSAGE=

Dreia downloaded the mission specs to a PADD and wlaked out of the ready room. She leaned over the com station, opening a shipwide channel she announced, "All Senior Officer's Report to the briefing room on the Double." She closed the com, turned and walked briskly to the briefing room.

<TAG ALL.. NEW MISSION Lets get the New year started on a good note folks>

Dr. Paula White had just been transfered off of one of the Akira class escorts that had ferried her from Vulcan where she had been working with a colleague. Xenobiology was not something that normally lent itself to wartime efforts, but with new species entering the war left and right-- the need for a Xenobiologist, especially on a MASH ship, seemed to be increasing with the years.

Thus the young black mother of fair features and sweet aura was forced to take up station on the front lines.

Her daughter of two, Brianna-Rae stuck closely by her side as they made their way to their family quarters. It had been tough these last few years since their husband and father had died-- and it was likely only to get tougher in the near future. But her daughter was strong, as strong as her ancestors were-- and as strong as her mother was.

Convincing the quartermaster to allow the child on board was no easy task either, but in this war there was really no safe place for the children. Brianna was scared, but she didn't show it. Her third birthday was coming up and the only thing she was concerned with was getting a special present her mother had promised her-- lavish Betazoid garb so she could play dress-up.

Her meetings with department heads and the Captain had been postponed until she could get her daughter settled in and in school.

Yoshi was in the lab working further on the virus to manufacture the cure onto a larger scale in case this strain ever came out against them again. he heard the whistle of the incoming comm and thought at first to ignore it, but when he heard that it was the Captain, he responded. "LCDR Kehdar to Captain, I'm on the way, but I will need just a few minutes. I have to set this experiment to continue to run on auto. I'll be there ASAP." Tapping off his commbadge, Yoshi set the computer to scan the components he was using and then headed out of the lab, and headed to the turbolift. Exiting onto the bridge, Yoshi nodded at the crewmen he knew and made his way to the briefing. He grabbed a cup of coffee from the replicator and took his seat waiting on the fun to begin.

The Cadecus is called off to the battle front once again. The Federation is in the midst of battle against the Dominion and there have been many casualties.

Starfleet has just retaken the planet Betazed and is in desperate need for medical facilities to be established on the planet to cure all injured and to increase morale in the sector both for the planets inhabitants and for the remaining taskforces that need to regroup.

Starfleet will be sending an armed escort comprising of three akira class starships and one defiant class. ***

Captain Dreia Gonzalez sat at the desk in the ready room. It had been three days since they had left the Erit system. Three days to catch her breath and send Sorveck a message that all had turned out well.

Dreia hadn't realized how much she would miss him, and with the task of runnning a vessel of this size she had barely had time to think of it till now. She still had that funny feeling in her stomach, and she was certain it had a good meaning. She just hadn't had time to verify her susiscions with the doctors yet.

As she mused about the possibilitys and probabilities she received a com from ops. "Captain Gonzalez, Incoming encoded communique from Starfleet."

She sighed and answered the Com, "Decrypt encoding and forward to the ready room."

It took only a second or two beofre the message appear on her screen. Her pleasant feeling dissolved as she read the message.

Establish a medical presence on the planet and help the task force regroup, chances are they will have to be called off to war front.

There may be a small possibility of a few people that are or will be suffering from mental instability. Its up to the Cadecus crew to quarantine these people before they become a danger to not only themselves but to the sector.

As with all such missions there is the risk of attack from the Dominion forces still in the area and on the planet surface. All Crew are to arm themselves at all times and be prepared to fight.

=END MESSAGE=

Dreia downloaded the mission specs to a PADD and wlaked out of the ready room. She leaned over the com station, opening a shipwide channel she announced, "All Senior Officer's Report to the briefing room on the Double." She closed the com, turned and walked briskly to the briefing room.

<TAG ALL.. NEW MISSION Lets get the New year started on a good note folks>

Mia turned to see a handsome LTJG step off the turbolift and stared for a few moments before she looked at the new crew list and cleared her throat. She stood from the Command Chair, "You must be LTjg Joseph Collins, Welcome to the USS CADECUS, or as we call her... the Cad...” She waited for him to hand over his PADD with his transfer orders as she checked him over with her eyes.

Joe handed her the PADD with his orders. "Yes, Ma'am. LTjg Joe Collins reporting for duty." He emphasized the Joe as a sly smile crossed his lips as his eyes slid up her body. "Very happy to be here, Ma'am."

"Joe, Sorry, LTJG Collins, I am the CSEC, Lt Mia Cummings." As she took the PADD her fingers brushed his and she felt her stomach flutter. She looked over the PADD to verify her reports and Nodded. "You have been assigned as OPS; I have assigned you to Officers country for quarters, Deck three, section 15, unit 14." She glanced up and smiled as she tapped the new information onto his PADD. "You should report to Sickbay within 12 hours for your intake exams. If you need any help, feel free to give me a shout."

Joe couldn't resist. "You know, Ma'am, I haven't had a chance to go over ships schematics. You wouldn't feel like showing me where Deck 3, section 15, unit 14 is, would you?" He couldn't believe he was being so bold with a senior officer, but she sure was cute and the worst she could say was no, right?

Mia smiled, "I'd be happy to oblige Lt." She turned to the officer at the helm and said, "Mister V’tok you have the bridge." Turning back to the new OPS officer she nodded and said "I'll escort you to your quarters, and then back here to the Briefing room. The Captain has called a meeting... and you are now one of the senior oficers."

Yet another smile crossed the man's face. This was going all too well. "Lead the way, Ma'am."

Nodding in the direction of the TL she stepped away from the Command Chair. She stepped into the TL and turned to look at Joe. "Deck 3" She announced their destination. Taking a breath to steady herself she began, "You'll find the Cad is a great place to call home. I think you'll enjoy it here as much as I do."

"With you here..." he let his statement trail off. "I'm sure I will, Ma'am," he said instead. "How long have you been aboard?"

Mia chuckled lightly, "I've been aboard since I was a lowly ensign... it's been at least three years now, And It's home." They arrived at Deck three and she stepped out and she started down the hall, turning left at the first junction. "This is section 15; your quarters are just down this hall.” She finally stopped in front of the door, facing the door she said, "Unsecure door for access to 3-15-14, security code Mia- bravo- seven." The door slid open and she entered the room." These are your quarters; Lt. You can enter your own security access codes once you are alone. As you can see, The Transporter Chief has already relocated your belongings to this location."

Joe smiled at the other officer. "Feel like introducing me around later, Ma'am?" he asked, finding himself wanting to get to know this woman a bit better.

Mia smiled and nodded, "After the meeting, if there's time, I'll give you the grand tour." She felt her face blush. She was actually flirting with the new OPS officer. "Umm we should get back up to the Bridge and to the briefing room; I'll introduce you to the Captain and the other senior officers."

"Let's go, Ma'am," he laughed. "Should I be worried?" He followed her down the corridor back to the turbolift, not trying to control his normal cocky swagger.

Mia smiled and led them back to the TL, "the Captain received a message from SFHQ... and with the Dominion all around us... I always worry... as does Command... ermm Captain Gonzalez." She glanced back and smiled at how sure of himself he seemed to be. "But, we'll find out more if we get to the meeting."

"Then we better get there, don't you think?" he laughed as the lift doors closed.

She laughed, really laughed, for the first time in months. She liked this guy's attitude, and he sure had the looks to go with it. "Yes LTJG Collins, I do think!" Sneaking a glance back at him as they rode back to the bridge she thought to herself. "I wonder if he's unattached."

"Are all the female officers here as cute as you are, Ma'am?" he asked, her flirtations pushing him on a bit. This is what always got him in trouble in the end, but he just couldn't help himself when the female was so inviting.

Mia blushed deeply, "I...I never thought about it... Thank you for the compliment... Is it alright if I call you Joe?" Mia's heart was skipping beats... he liked her... she wanted to get to know himbetter.... a lot better.

Another sly grin crossed his lips, "You can call me whatever you want, whenever you want, Ma'am." He bowed deeply to her, "I aim to please."
A broad smile crossed her face. And then the TL doors opened and she tried to regain her stoic expression, without success. "We had best report to the briefing room, Dreia seemed upset by whatever the message was."
"As you wish," he replied, wondering what could upset a Captain enough that it was obvious. A look of worry crossed his face.

The poor children. They were as much casualties as anybody else were. Thousands of children without parents, without one parent, KIA MIA or otherwise disposed. Too far close to the front lines or too far back from edge of the galaxy.

Even though Starfleet wasn't much of a military organization anymore, and even though these new ships were being outfitted with family quarters it was the same old story. The war-torn families. The wives who lost husbands, the children who lost fathers.

Mia escorted The new Ops officer to the Briefing room. Nodding to Yoshi, who had already arrived and procured his refreshments, she turned to the Captain. "Ma'am, this is LtJg Joe Collins, newly assigned as Ops officer, other than the medical eval, he has been checked in and is ready to assume his duties." She stepped aside and let LtJG Collins meet Captain Gonzalez.

Paula noticed the person she knew as the CSEC walk onto the Bridge shortly after Yoshi had. For a brief moment she had thought to briefly introduce herself to the CSCI, but he looked like he was busy-- and since the Senior Staff had been called into the briefing room he expected that they were going to be a lot busier. She would wait.

The CSEC was flanked by another officer, he looked to be an Engineer, or maybe an OPS officer. She couldn't tell. She offered him a warm smile.

There wasn't a whole lot for a Xenobiologist to do on the Bridge at the moment. Just man the science station in case anything came in. To be perfectly frank-- Paula wasn't much of a lab person. She enjoyed away missions and long field studies as opposed to the labs. There were experiments that were being monitored by the lower crew-- and since the CSCI hadn't bothered to put her on a roster until cleared for duty she thought it would be inappropriate to interfere just yet.

In the meantime, right after the boarded, both her and her little Brianna had been cleared to board and she had been cleared for duty. She didn't know many COs who asked the lower decks to report to them directly after boarding, however to each her own.

She smiled as her thoughts turned to Brianna. She thought of calling down to the school to see if her daughter was doing all right. It was natural to be concerned hut, the schoolteacher would call if anything was wrong.

A little motherly worry struck her for a moment. She shook it off with a bright smile.

Yoshimitsu sat in the conference room waiting on the briefing to begin. He looked over the crew roster to check on the newest science department. He had seen the new Xenobiologist as he walked into the briefing room and since the briefing had not started yet he got up and left to go talk to her. Walking up to the new Lieutenant he stopped. "Lieutenant, I am LCDR Kehdar. I am sorry I did not meet you earlier, as you can tell, we have had a busy few weeks. After the briefing, I will show you around the ship, and answer any questions you may have. For now, please report to sickbay for your arrival physical if you have not already done so, then spend the time getting your quarters squared away. I have a feeling that we are going to be very busy in the next few weeks." Without waiting for a reply, he returned to the conference room to await their orders.

Jason had been in the Diplomatic Suite, catching up on some much needed paperwork when he received a comm call from Starfleet DHQ.

"Ah, Ambassador Sparrow, how may I assist you today...are the vulcan still giving you trouble with their talks of trying to control your emotions?" he asked smiling slightly as the Human's face contorted into a look of Disgust at the mention of Vulcans.

"oh...not taking it to well I see, don't worry Ambassador you'll learn to live" said Jason laughing slightly as the Ambassadors face began to calm down.

"Ambassador Gonzalez, as I'm sure your aware of by now Starfleet is sending the USS Cadecus to the third line in the battle front. We've just recovered planet Betazed and they are in desperate need of help" said Ambassador Sparrow.

"yes I'm aware of the situation on Betazed, but not about us being called to the Planet...perhaps that is what Captain Gonzalez, wanted to have all senior staff present in her briefing room today" he added

"mmm yes, but in any matter, I'm calling you because you've been recalled to Starfleet DHQ. We need you here, to help negotiate a truce between the dominion their allies and the federation and her allies" he said

"But Ambassador, surely you don't need me to do the negotiations, my own home world isn't a member of the federation, I just represent them as an independent entity in this war, could you not ask for someone else" requested Jason.

"I'm sorry Ambassador, your the only one left that has more experience than Ambassador Argon and Gimli combined" said Sparrow

"I'll have to think about it Ambassador" said Jason before being cut off.

"there is nothing to think about Ambassador Gonzalez, we have already sent in the USS Black Pearl to rendezvous at your current location, it should be there in 7 hours, I'm sorry" he added before saying "I have to go Ambassador, the Vulcans want me to meditate at least three hours a day and its already my turn to meditate" he said and cut the comms without another word

"Well, he may not know it, but he is already sounding like a vulcan" said Jason, gathering his things and headed toward the briefing room

Heading straight for the TL Jason began muttering things such as "I'll shove this PADD up your darn rear" and "Hope you can stand the heat, because I'll be requesting you to be moved Tholia you little bag of..." and quickly stopped once he realized he was already on the bridge.

Not looking embarrassed at all, he continued to mutter things, this time about removing the gravity plating from Sparrow's office, hang him upside down, and try to mock phaser him, having each little toe get loose for every phaser shot at it.

Once he realized he was in the briefing he stated, "never mind me, I'm just contemplating someones death" he said smiling jokingly before adding to the security guards that were his escorts " you can wait outside" to which they rapidly responded for fear they might his boot shoved up their rears.

"Lieutenant, I am LCDR Kehdar. I am sorry I did not meet you earlier, as you can tell, we have had a busy few weeks. After the briefing, I will show you around the ship, and answer any questions you may have. For now, please report to sickbay for your arrival physical if you have not already done so, then spend the time getting your quarters squared away. I have a feeling that we are going to be very busy in the next few weeks."

Paula quirked one of her eyebrows and merely nodded. She watched him walk back into the conference room and forced herself not to chuckle.

As her hand came up to her lips she felt like a little child who had just seen their mother grab the sugar when she reached for the salt-- a little faux pas on behalf of the CSCI who, for all intent and purpose, was gracious if not mal-timed and ill-executed.

She gave pause to the consideration that his meeting her had been forced by another officer, however she didn't really know. She almost felt sorry for judging the man so swiftly, he hadn't made much of a first impression beyond 'I am a Starfleet Officer full of pomp and circumstance signifying nothing'. However, those types would always exist. Ignorance of personal life was how Starfleet kept order-- thought it made for bad welcoming parties.

It wasn't up to her as much as it was to him. Technically she hadn't been cleared for duty, but what else was she to do? She had already gotten her ruddy medical clearance, moved in, cleaned up her quarters, and dropped her little one off at school. 'Starfleet Houswives' would make an excellent holo-opera someday.

Such a young man too--

Pondering reasons why she hadn't left Starfleet after her husband's death she turned her attention to some reports on Betazoid animal life-- anything that might have seemed important and that interested her at the same time.

**Story Note - Dr White has NOT yet had her Medical and will need to report to Sick Bay at her earilest. Until such a time that someone from the Medical crew gives her the go-ahead.. she cannot assume her duties and has not been added to the duty roster. **

Dreia was going over this mission in her head. They would need everyone to pitch in. She was feeling ill again. And she was certain she knew the cause. She briefly thought that she should talk to Jason about what plans they should be making, but she had to push that to the back of her mind and concentrate on the ship and the crew.

She nodded to Yoshi as he entered and got something from the replicator. Shortly after that Mia walked through the door. She was happy to see her up and bout after her near death experience not that long ago.

Mia wrote: "Ma'am, this is LtJg Joe Collins, newly assigned as Ops officer, other than the medical eval, he has been checked in and is ready to assume his duties."

Dreia smiled at the efficiency of her Chief of Security and Watched as the New Ops oficer stepped inside the room. "LtJG Collins, welcome aboard. Your more than welcome to sit in on this meeting and then go meet with the Medical staff for your intake eval, I am sure you will be an asset to this ship and crew."

<Tag Collins>

She waved her hand to indicate he take a seat as Jason walked in , with his escorts, mumbling to himself. Dreia looked at her husband and raised an eyebrow in question.

Jason wrote: "never mind me, I'm just contemplating someones death" he said smiling jokingly before adding to the security guards that were his escorts " you can wait outside"

Dreia smiled slightly and shook her head. Wondering just what would cause the Ambassador to want to cause another person's existence to cease. "We can discuss what's bothering you Later, Ambassador. Please.. Lets everyone have a seat."

She waited for all the senior officers to take their seats. Then she placed the PADD on the table and stood with her hands clasped her hands behind her back.

After her shower, meal and a ten hour nap, Larinda was back in Sickbay, going over the files of the new personnel assigned to the Cad for their new mission. She really didn't want to see what the Dominion had done to Betazed but, she knew they had to go.

She was still concerned about the missing CMO and his sister. It wasn't like Shadow and Bevan to disappear like this, without telling anyone what was going on. She shook her head as things began to pick up, with crew members coming in for their physicals.

She sighed as they had added the new blood test to the exam, to screen for changelings trying to infiltrate the crew. As she rose from her chair, she remembered a line of Shakespeare. It was from the play "Henry V" and it seemed approriate for them now. "Once more into the breach, my friends."

As Paula sat on the bridge, she received a message on the COMM from Sickbay. She was told to report there, with her daughter. Apparently somebody had either not done their jobs, or she had done something wrong.

It was all very confusing. The very first thing she did when she and her daughter got on board was get their medical evaluations. Not that it was entirely necessary to do it right away-- but--

She shrugged and logged off her terminal.

Brianna was very excited to see her mother was coming to pick her up from school early. This good mood didn't last when she found out they were going to pay another visit to Sickbay. To stave off a tantrum she gave the young girl a little chocolate candy to keep her quiet for the turbolift ride.

As she walked in, daughter of two at her side, she looked around the vast Sickbay facilities for somebody who could help her.

"Umm, hello?" Her eyes caught somebody who looked like they could help her, "My name is Paula White, and this is Brianna. Would you mind giving us some physicals?"

Brianna hid behind her mother's leg. Paula smiled and ran her hand down the back of her daughter's neck.

***OCC:Larinda: at the moment you are the only 'active' Medical officer on board. You will have to perform the exams, and then report to the meeting.Note to all:: Since we currently have no XO .. for now the Crew will be reporting directly to the CO until otherwise notified.***

Dreia looked around the briefing room at the assembled group. She picked up the PADD and said. "We have our Orders. We are to proceed with all due haste to Betazed. Starfleet has recently retaken the planet from Dominion forces. We are to provide medical support services. We will deploy a minimum of two MODs on the Planet surface for emergency medical treatment."

She turned to Look at the Engineer, "T'Vis, start making arrangements for their deployment."

Turning to the AMO, "Full medical teams from triage to surgical crews are to be deployed as soon as the mods are in place." She looked around the room again, her eyes falling on her husband, "Jason, I'd like you to oversee the ground units and keep things as calm as possible... We are moving into a hot zone and people will be frightened." She smiled slightly and went on, "Lt Cummings, There are reports of continued fighting in the area, and We will need full security teams in place to protect our people." She paused for a moment to catch her breath.

"I'll need everyone to focus. As some of you know we have been assigned an escort. If there is an attack, we let them do the majority of the fighting.. our task is to get to Betazed and help." She stood up straight and looked around at her Officers and Jason.

"I have every faith in you to get the job done." She looked each person in the eyes and then asked, "Any questions or suggestions?"

Yoshi looked at the PADD in front of him, "Captain, what is the Science Team needed for? If necessary we can run Triage and litter crews for the MOD's." He said after a moments thought. A Combat mission wouldn't be a place where his department's skills would be needed in their primary capacity, but he knew to lend a hand wherever he was needed.

Dreia looked at the new ops officer, "Lt you will be here coordinating the efforts of the crew and making sure all supplies that are needed are available."

She smiled at Yoshi, it was like him to volunteer his people for medical duties, However, "LtCdr Kehdar, While I am sure the medical department appreciates you willingness to assist, I will need you and your people to ways to assist Betazed with reforesting the planet. From what I understand, they have taken heavy damage from the ongoing battles. And, If I am correct you have two new crew members, one of whom is a xenobiologist. We just may need their expertise here on the Cad."

Dreia looked around and asked, "Anyone else?" When a few moments went by without any response she nodded. "Ok then, you have your orders. Dismissed." Dreia nodded as the officers filed out of the meeting.

Dreia watched Jason Stand,"Jason, hold up.." She waited till they were alone before she continued, "something is bothering you.. What is it?"

OM: She smiled at Yoshi, it was like him to volunteer his people for medical duties, However, "LtCdr Kehdar, While I am sure the medical department appreciates you willingness to assist, I will need you and your people to ways to assist Betazed with reforesting the planet. From what I understand, they have taken heavy damage from the ongoing battles. And, If I am correct you have two new crew members, one of whom is a xenobiologist. We just may need their expertise here on the Cad."

Dreia looked around and asked, "Anyone else?" When a few moments went by without any response she nodded. "Ok then, you have your orders. Dismissed." Dreia nodded as the officers filed out of the meeting.

NM:

Yoshi nodded to the Captain. "Aye Captain. We'll get started right away." Getting up he walked out of the briefing after the Captain had dismissed them and went out onto the Bridge. "Lt White, I apologize for being brusque with you earlier, but time was of the essence. If you will follow me, I'll get you to Medical for your in Processing physical, and then we have work to do." He gestured towards the turbolift and waited for her to head that way.